Nicolas Eugene SIMOUTRE

Son of Nicolas Simoutre ; b. April 19, 1834, at Mirecourt. Was first a pupil of his father, then of Darche, in 1852, at Paris; then of Ch. Roth, in 1856, at Strassburg. He worked in Strassburg for four years, and in 1860 founded workshops both at Mulhausen and at Basle; since 1890 he has returned to Paris. He made various suggestions for improving the tone of violins , in 1883 he published on this subject, " Aux amateurs du violon historique, construction, reparation et conservation de cet instrument' , this was followed, in 1886, by " Un progres en lutherie '; and in 1889 by a " Supplement aux amateurs du violon et au progres en lutherie." He was awarded a " diplome d'honneur" at the Basle Exhibition in 1877, and again at Zurich, 1883 ; but at the Paris Exhibition, 1889, only a bronze medal was awarded, which he refused to accept.